US construction equipment exports rise +13% to US$ 26.7 billion

Exports of US-made construction equipment rose +13% last year to US$ 26.7 billion. This followed rises of +43% in 2011 and 28% in 2010, taking exports to more than twice what they were in the depths of the global recession in 2009.

AEM vice president and construction sector leader Al Cevero said, “Exports have been called a bright spot for the US economy, and this has been especially true for construction equipment manufacturers. Exports have been essential to our industry’s rebound as we continue to struggle with uneven US markets.”

In terms of regions, the biggest growth last year for US construction equipment exports was in Australia/Oceania, where sales were up +42% to US$ 3.9 billion. In Africa sales rose +14% to US$ 1.5 billion, while Europe was up +13% to US$ 3.2 billion. Sales to Central America also moved up +13% for a total of US$ 2.3 billion.

More subdued was the South American market, which was up +6% to US$ 4.6%, while Asia saw only a +2% increase to US$ 3.2 billion.

As far as individual countries were concerned, Canada remained by far the largest destination for US equipment exports, with US$ 8.1 billion sold last year, a +12% increase. It was followed by Australia (US$ 3.8 billion, +43%), Mexico (US$ 1.8 billion, +13%), Chile (US$ 1.7%, +25%), South Africa (US$ 894 million, +31%), Brazil (US$ 886 million -7%), Belgium (US$ 806 million, +43%), Peru (US$ 779 million, +36%), Russia (US$ 715 million, +10%) and China (US$ 680 million, -25%).